The Costs of Competitive Kids

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The Costs of Competitive Kids

Most parents, it's safe to say, want their children to grow up with an edge. They enlist them in team sports, or even chess tournaments, hoping to encourage a killer instinct. They put them on stage to square off against other kids in beauty pageants and dance troupes. And for these activities they pay a small fortune.

CNBC.com presents a list of competitive activities for kids, and what parents can expect to pay for their child's involvement. Some are academic, some are in the arts and some are meant to develop strategic thinking. But all of them carry a price tag much higher than you'd expect. Read ahead to see what they are.